The Hebrew term for
"wise man" Haham has been adopted in Turkish to mean "Rabbi." This
is to avoid the use of the word "Rabbi" since in Arabic the word "Rab"
is one of he names of God and may not be applied to a human.

Still
today the Grand Rabbi is called the "Hahambasi." (Head of Rabbis).

*
Officially recognized by the Turkish government
as representing the Jewish community. Other Hahambashis headed the rabbinate
in Istanbul and led the entire Jewish community, but received no official
recognition from the Ottoman Empire.